Upgrade Graphics Card

[htank]

My current desktop configuration:

Intel P4 2.66 GHz
RAM: 1 GB (will upgrade to 2GB)
Motherboard: MSI PM8PM L
Current OS: Win XP 32-bit

I am planning to upgrade OS to Windows 7. For this I want to upgrade the Graphics Card. Looking at motherboard configuration can anyone suggest me the best Graphics card?

My board supports AGP 4x/8x card. The specification says 32-bits, so can I install Radeon HD 3650 card which is 128-bit? Please suggest.

Thanks.

 

[stormy13]

htank, welcome to the forums.

Will that card work with Windows 7? Yes it will. Is it worth buying just for Windows 7? Others may say yes, but personally I would say no. Reason for that is you are liable to run into all kinds of problems getting it to work due to being an AGP card, if you haven't yet do a search of this forum and you will find there have been all kinds of problems getting AGP cards to work in Windows 7 (there is a 27 page thread stickied at the top of this forum). Most of the problems stem from AGP not being fully supported and the lack of a proper AGP driver (not to be confused with the driver for the video card), that allows the video card driver to work properly.

Also depending on your current power supply, you may also need to upgrade it for that card as the card requires an external connection to the power supply.

Another thing is that sad to say, but the card you linked to costs about what your whole computer is worth. Also if you do get that card and then decide down the road to get a new computer, you won't be able to move the card to the new computer as there are no computers being sold with AGP slots anymore.

Normally I am all for upgrading as necessary, but in cases like yours I usually recommend on holding off on Windows 7 until such a time as you get a new computer that is more in line with running it without needlessly spending money to get there.

 

[bobkn]

The MSI PM8PM uses the Via P4M800 Pro chipset. Via appears to have not released chipset drivers for Win7 for that. The Vista drivers may work, but I suggest you check for that.

Sapphire recommends a 450W PSU with 30A available at +12V. Do you have that?

 

[merkat106]

htank, welcome to the forums.

Will that card work with Windows 7? Yes it will. Is it worth buying just for Windows 7? Others may say yes, but personally I would say no. Reason for that is you are liable to run into all kinds of problems getting it to work due to being an AGP card, if you haven't yet do a search of this forum and you will find there have been all kinds of problems getting AGP cards to work in Windows 7 (there is a 27 page thread stickied at the top of this forum). Most of the problems stem from AGP not being fully supported and the lack of a proper AGP driver (not to be confused with the driver for the video card), that allows the video card driver to work properly.

Also depending on your current power supply, you may also need to upgrade it for that card as the card requires an external connection to the power supply.

Another thing is that sad to say, but the card you linked to costs about what your whole computer is worth. Also if you do get that card and then decide down the road to get a new computer, you won't be able to move the card to the new computer as there are no computers being sold with AGP slots anymore.

Normally I am all for upgrading as necessary, but in cases like yours I usually recommend on holding off on Windows 7 until such a time as you get a new computer that is more in line with running it without needlessly spending money to get there.

I would hold off on getting a graphics card right now since AGP isn't fully supposed in Win 7. Stay with onboard graphics if you do go to 7. Also, stay with 32 bit Windows 7 (do not go x64).

 

[htank]

Thanks everyone for reply. I think it will be wise to wait for sometime till my current OS gives me trouble and then buy a new desktop with Windows 7.